Legal Manager APAC

American President Lines; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global shipping company seeks a Legal Manager APAC to provide strategic legal leadership across corporate and maritime matters. This role involves managing legal resources for approximately 90 legal entities in the region and overseeing complex transactions and disputes. Ideal candidates will have over 10 years of PQE, strong maritime law background, and in-house experience within the shipping or logistics sector. Leadership skills and a dynamic working style are essential. Local employment only.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ PQE with strong experience in maritime law and corporate transactions.
• In-house experience in shipping or logistics industry is essential.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex commercial and financing agreements.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal leadership for APAC covering various legal matters.
• Oversee corporate governance and manage legal entities.
• Lead legal support for cross-border projects and M&A activities.

Skills

Maritime law

Corporate transactions

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Education

Qualified solicitor and/or barrister in a Commonwealth jurisdiction

Job description

Legal Manager APAC

Location: Singapore, SG

Led by Rodolphe Saadé, the CMA CGM Group, a global leader in shipping and logistics, serves more than 420 ports around the world on five continents. With its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics, and its air freight division CMA CGM AIR CARGO, the CMA CGM Group is continually innovating to offer its customers a complete and increasingly efficient range of new shipping, land, air and logistics solutions.

Committed to the energy transition in shipping, and a pioneer in the use of alternative fuels, the CMA CGM Group has set a target to become Net Zero Carbon by 2050. Through the CMA CGM Foundation, the Group acts in humanitarian crises that require an emergency response by mobilizing the Group’s shipping and logistics expertise to bring humanitarian supplies around the world.

Present in 160 countries through its network of more than 400 offices and 750 warehouses, the Group employs more than 155,000 people worldwide, including 4,000 in Marseilles where its head office is located.

Role Overview

To provide strategic legal leadership on all maritime and non‑maritime related matters across the APAC region, with specialized expertise in corporate matters. This role is responsible for leading corporate lawyers, delivering timely and compliant legal advice that supports critical business objectives, managing complex disputes, financing transactions, and negotiations, and ensuring the effective deployment of legal resources.

This is a high‑impact regional role offering broad exposure, leadership responsibility, and the opportunity to shape legal strategy across APAC.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the principal legal adviser for APAC, covering corporate, commercial, maritime, IT/digital, IP, real estate, infrastructure, and communications matters.
• Oversee all corporate governance and secretarial matters for ~90 APAC legal entities, including JVs, restructurings, and lifecycle management.
• Lead legal support for cross‑border projects, business development initiatives, and M&A activities.
• Manage ship financing transactions, including vessel acquisitions, disposals, loan and security documentation, and sale‑leaseback arrangements.
• Handle complex disputes and litigation, including maritime claims, detention and demurrage recovery, and non‑insured matters.
• Manage external counsel and represent the company before courts and authorities.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the APAC legal team while optimizing internal and external legal resources.

What We’re Looking For

• Qualified solicitor and/or barrister in a Commonwealth jurisdiction (additional APAC qualifications preferred).
• Minimum 10 years’ PQE, with strong experience in maritime law, corporate transactions, and cross‑border matters.
• In‑house experience within the shipping or logistics industry.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex commercial and financing agreements.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and problem‑solving skills.
• Able to thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic, and international environment.

This role is open for local employment only.

Kindly note that only short‑listed applicants will be contacted.